Monday, November 1, 2010

Which Do You Want First?

The good news is that the coat is really starting to look like a coat (thank God). Dare I say it myself, it is very nicely constructed (at least so far).

The lining is not super shiny, it just doesn't photograph well...

The belt kicks ass - I really like how it works in this fabric!

The bad news is that I don't like it. I mean, I do hope I'm going to change my mind. Seriously. Like more than you can possibly imagine.

Why don't I like it?

It looks completely contrived on me. The lapels and collar are just weird on my frame - too big and too small all at once. I feel the thing is too big through the body and too small in the shoulders?!

OK, I know it doesn't have buttons yet. I haven't pick stitched the lapels. I haven't tacked down the lining in the sleeves and at the bottom. When I tried it on I was sweaty and tired and I wasn't wearing a bra. These things may influence my thoughts about (and the fit of) the finished product.

One thing that really does bother me about the pattern is that the lining pieces are not accurate. I, like Gertie and others, need to go out and buy lace to affix (somehow, though I don't know yet exactly the method) to the bottom of the lining to obscure the interior of the coat. Not only don't I love that look, but I really don't appreciate the extra time, effort, learning and expense that's going to put me through.

19 comments:

Oooooo... that's too bad! I really like mine, I've been wearing it around a bit!

I didn't have to do anything to my lining, although I always cut my lining pieces long because I'm a sloppy cutter and learned the hard way that some extra length comes in handy!

I use lace to finish the hems of skirt linings a lot. I just use the thicker already made hem lace (like 2.5" thick, maybe? Can't remember!) I lay the lace over the edge of the lining, so it's overlapping by a half-inch or so and it looks 'nice' on the inside (closest to you) and looks 'not nice' facing the garment. Then I sew on with a zig zag near the top edge of the lace. Then I use my pinking shears to trim the lining fabric on the unfinished side, close to the line of stitching. If you don't like leaving things that unfinished, then a super narrow hem treatment on the lining, followed by the same overlap and zig zag method would work. This method is great - I do it with full circle skirts where the fabric is swirly all over the place and the unfinished side never shows!

I hope you start liking the coat after all your work! I was at Target yesterday wearing mine and I noticed plenty of other girls with belted, double breasted styles like the L.Grey, but they were all so ill fitting! Mine was awesome!

It looks amazing to me. I cannot wait to see how it looks on you. Maybe you have just spent too much time with it. Maybe when you get it on you will see just how amazing it is and how you have birthed something beautiful. At least I hope that is what happens.xoxo

It looks great. I caught your moan yesterday on twitter! I think patty is right ref always cutting lining longer and Ms. M has a good point but I'm of the school that knows you either love or dislike a garment you've made and nothing can change your mind!

Hmm I thought I was the only one that this happened to. With many sewing projects of late, I start to hate the project before it's even finished (I'm looking at you, crumpled dress in my eames rocker).

Patty - it sounds like you are suggesting I sew the right side of the lace to the wrong side of the lining (and then trim the lace above the zig zag as it sits against the wrong side). I like that idea, but it seems (from Gertie's post today) that she simply put the wrong side of the lace onto the right side of the lining, zigzagged and just left the lining above the zig zag. (I've emailed her to confirm that I'm not seeing it wrong). What are your thoughts about that method??

Ms. M: Very sound advice which I may be able to take if it gets too much colder too soon :-)

Bel: There's a possibility I've just spent too much time with it. I really hope that's what's happening here.

Sophie: Of course that's a totally sensible idea. When you try anything braless with sweat pants it's not so good.

Kate: This is one time I hope we're both wrong!

Aja: No, I think it may be (sadly) universal!!

Wendy: I'm just being dramatic, I'm sure of it. But ask Stacy if she ever hates what she's making till it's finished :-)

Susan: Like I said to Kate, I so hope I'm wrong. I've got to calm down a little :-)

I've felt exactly like this with various projects through the years. Sometimes I really did NOT like the finished item and had to remind myself that I'm probably more a process knitter than a product knitter. Not so much with sewing, I have to say, but I'd also quickly add that those last few steps, never mind a really good steaming for shape, can make a big difference. As does some perspective and the right pair of shoes (and the bra and the lack of sweatpants . . . ).

Even if you don't like it in the end, you'll find someone who will be thrilled with it. AND you'll have the satisfaction of having made A. TAILORED. COAT.! All by yourself! Not much more than a year (if that?) after you began sewing!!

Plus you'll be free to begin another project. Possibly an easier one? But really, we're all waiting to see pics and tell you what we think . . . let us be the judges!

Dare I say "familiarity breeds contempt". Finish it. Let it rest a bit. If you still dislike it in January, someone else will love it. 'Cause, from what I see, it is gorgeous. And you may just find it is not so bad.

Sometimes, despite all our work and the best of intentions though, the stars just don't align in our favor.

I always cut linings long. They can be trimmed. Many many patterns have them too short for my taste. Wouldn't it be nice if life was not always a learning project?

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